COMILLA (HRNW): In a devastating collision at a railway level crossing in the Comilla district, at least 12 people were killed and dozens of others injured during the early hours of Sunday. The accident occurred at the Paduar Bazar crossing in the Jangalia area when a Dhaka-bound mail train originating from Chittagong struck a passenger bus that was attempting to cross the tracks.
According to local authorities and fire service officials, the impact was so severe that the train dragged the mangled bus for approximately one kilometer before coming to a halt. The deceased include seven men, two women, and three children. Rescue teams, including personnel from the Army, Fire Service, and Red Crescent, rushed to the scene to extricate passengers trapped within the wreckage.
Key Highlights of the Incident:
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Casualties: 12 confirmed dead, with over 20 others sustaining injuries. The injured were promptly transported to Comilla Medical College Hospital, where several remain in critical condition.
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Primary Cause: Initial investigations suggest the accident was caused by a lack of proper signaling at the level crossing. Officials believe the bus proceeded onto the tracks because no warning signal was active at the time.
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Administrative Action: In response to the tragedy, Bangladesh Railway has suspended two gatemen—Mehedi Hasan and Helal Uddin—on charges of negligence.
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Inquiry Committees: Three separate investigation committees have been formed by the railway authorities and the district administration to probe the safety lapses and submit a detailed report within 72 hours.
The accident caused a significant disruption to rail services on the busy Dhaka-Chittagong route for several hours. This tragic event has once again spotlighted the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades at unmanned and poorly managed railway intersections across the country, especially during the high-traffic Eid travel season.
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